September 1, 2008 – Dr. Browntorious
This morning I was chatting streetball with my boy Haneef, the President over at Macleem Sportswear, and he was sayin’ how the staff over at Macleem is really pushing to bring a more ‘real’ flavor back to streetball. Not that there is anything wrong with the cats that have the handle, vision, and know-how to pull off the flashy moves that make Streetball so much fun to watch, but the problem is those cats that bring the flash a little too early before they are truly ready.
We have all seen it, you know the guys that look to be just straight clownin’ out there the way they bring an unpolished move to a competitive streetball match-up and end up embarrassing themselves and their team. In the real streetball entertainment leagues and tour stops there seems to be a lot more of this attempted “flash for cash” before a playa is truly ready. What some, including Haneef and I are wondering is….’are the streetball mixtapes having a negative impact on the game of aspiring streetballers?’
Although there is that huge flash and entertainment element to streetball worldwide, you still can’t cheat the game. Real ball, whether played on the playgrounds or on the hardwood, is about competing and trying to be the best you can be. Sure where streetball often differs from conventional hoops is the ability for unlimited individual creativity. But that doesn’t mean you should be bustin’ out moves in a competitive environment that are clearly not ready. And you probably shouldn’t try to be something you’re not.
Speaking of streetballers who are trying to be something they’re not, check out this first hand footage of a guy clownin’ himself at a recent Brazil Streetball vs. Dyckman All-Stars at Dyckman Park in NYC. Many thanks to Haneef for sendin’ the vid our way for you to check out.
Hey! You didn’t think we would leave you with those negative images in your brain from the streets did you? Here is a clip of the type of flash and creativity that can be worked into a game with realness, our boy Jay ‘Boogie’ Brantley at the TWC (Together We Chill) game against Brazil.
Got any thoughts on the impact that the streetball mixtapes have on young ballers? Leave us a comment below.
I’m out like that fool at Dyckman…
